Embalming apparatus

ABSTRACT

The improved embalming apparatus for aspirating and disinfecting body fluids during the embalming process enables the disinfecting to be done in conjunction with a back-siphoning prevention device, and provides automatic shut-off to prevent waste or contamination of the disinfectant. In particular the apparatus includes an aspirating pump and a back-siphoning prevention device which includes a connector ring which is attached to a water faucet and a spacedly supported bowl which receives the water and has a disinfectant fluid control means in the bottom thereof, which allows water and disinfectant to flow to the aspirating pump, while providing the advantages of automatic disinfectant shut-off and contamination prevention. The fluid control means is a generally cylindrical chamber having a water inlet and a fluid outlet in the sidewall thereof and arranged so that disinfectant fluid is drawn into the chamber by the suction of the aspirating pump, while a ball which gravitationally seals the disinfecting fluid inlet prevents fluid in the chamber from entering the disinfecting fluid inlet and contaminating it.

United States Patent 1191 Hannahan 1 1 EMBALMING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: William F. Hannahan, Albuquerque,

N. Mex.

[73] Assignee: The Champion Company,

Springfield, Ohio 221 Filed: June 3,1974

21 Appl. No.: 475,649

[52] U.S. Cl 27/24 R; 137/604; 128/276 [51] Int. Cl. AOIN l/OO; F16K 19/00 [58] Field of Search 27/21, 22 R, 24, 24 R,

Primary E.\'amim'rRichard A. Gaudet Assistant E.\'mninerRiek Opitz Attorney, Agent, or FirnzBiebel, French & Bugg [57] ABSTRACT The improved embalming apparatus for aspirating and disinfecting body fluids during the embalming process enables the disinfecting to be done in conjunction with a back-siphoning prevention device, and provides automatic shut-off to prevent waste or contamination of the disinfectant. In particular the apparatus includes an aspirating pump and a back-siphoning prevention device which includes a connector ring which is attached to a water faucet and a spacedly supported bowl which receives the water and has a disinfectant fluid control means in the bottom thereof, which allows water and disinfectant to flow to the aspirating pump, while providing the advantages of automatic disinfectant shut-off and contamination prevention. The fluid control means is a generally cylindrical chamber having a water inlet and a fluid outlet in the sidewall thereof and arranged so that disinfectant fluid is drawn into the chamber by the suction of the aspirating pump, while a ball which gravitationally seals the disinfecting fluid inlet prevents fluid in the chamber from entering the disinfecting fluid inlet and contaminating it.

13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures us. Patent s t. 30,1975 3,908,246

FIG4

EMBALMING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to embalming apparatus. and in particular to an improvement in the aspirating systems used to remove and disinfect body fluids from a corpse during the embalming operation.

In order to properly embalm a corpse in preparing it for funeral processes, it is necessary to remove the blood and tissue liquids from the bloodvascular system and the blood and other body fluids from the body cavities. This aspirating operation of body fluids from the cavities usually involves the insertion of a trocar or other embalming instrument into the body cavities, and connecting the trocar to a source of suction or vacuum to withdraw the body fluids. For example, the suction may be obtained by a venturi-type device, such as a hydro-aspirator, or an aspirating pump, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,877 to Hannahan.

In the past, once the body fluids, etc., were removed by the suction device, they were merely discharged or flushed into open sinks connected to the sewer system. But, those body fluids pose a danger to personnel in the room with the cadaver, as well as to the public in general when the fluids are flushed into the public sewers, because the fluids may, and frequently do, contain dangerous living organisms.

In order to reduce the danger presented by the withdrawn body fluids, several prior art systems were developed to treat waste material from cadavers containing dangerous living organisms. By injecting a substance that is toxic to living organisms at a point near the point of withdrawal of the waste from the cadaver, and circulating the admixture of the waste material and the toxic substance through a closed circuit for a sufficient length of time, the toxic substance was able to kill the living organisms before anything was discharged into a waste disposal means. Examples of these systems are the method of U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,393 to Ware and the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 946,256 to McNerthney.

The prior art disinfecting systems, while useful for disinfecting body fluids, suffer from a number of disadvantages. They usually must operate in connection with hydro-aspirators, which are greatly affected by the water pressure available in the different communities, and frequently provide poor performance due to low water pressure. A further problem is that while the disinfecting fluid is continuously dispensed, it is gravity fed, and thus not automatically stopped when the suction device is stopped. This results in a waste of disinfecting material. Still further, the hydro-aspirating device has a tendency, should a sudden decrease in pressure occur within the municipal water system, to reverse flow or back-siphon through the hydro-aspirator into the water system. Consequently, there is a possibility that body fluids could be drawn into and contaminate the household water system.

The probelm of back-siphoning of body fluids into the water system is alleviated to some extent by using an aspirating pump, such as that disclosed in the Hannahan Patent. But reverse flow or back-siphoning of the body fluids remains a further problem with respect to the disinfectant supply. Body fluids can still back-up into and consequently waste the disinfectant, since there is nothing to prevent their back-flowing.

Thus, a need exists for an improved method and apparatus for aspirating and disinfecting the body fluids V removed from a corpse or a cadaver during embalming operations, which will provide automatic shut-off when the vacuum or suction is shut-off, and which will prevent the waste of disinfectant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosed is an improved embalming apparatus, and in particular an improved method and apparatus for aspirating and disinfecting body fluids during the embalming process.

In its preferred form, the apparatus is particularly useful with the aspirating pump and back-siphoning prevention device of the Hannahan patent, and the disclosure of such patent is incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the invention comprises disinfecting fluid flow control means for use in connection with the back-siphoning prevention device which supplied packing fluid, e.g., water and the like, to the aspirating pump. The disinfecting fluid flow control means is a generally cylindrical chamber having a water inlet and fluid outlet in the side walls thereof, and a disinfecting fluid inlet in the bottom therein, which is gravitationally sealed by a ball which permits continuous and automatic feeding of disinfecting fluid to the chamber. In the chamber, the disinfecting fluid and the water are mixed and together flow out the outlet to the aspirating pump, where they mix with and disinfects the body fluids withdrawn from the cadaver through the trocar. The fluid control means prevents waste of disinfecting fluid by only supplying disinfecting fluid when needed and by preventing the reverse flow or back-siphoning of fluids in the chamber, which could include body fluids, in-to the disinfecting fluid.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for aspirating and disinfecting body fluids removed from a corpse during embalming operations, which prevents waste of and is an automatic shut-off for the disinfecting fluid.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description,

'the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawing:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embalming aspirating system embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, partially broken away, of a back-siphoning prevention water attachment embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the back-siphoning preventing attachment embodying the fluid control means of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partially broken away and similar to FIG. 2, of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 generally illustrates an aspirating system comprising a pump 10 which creates a suction on trocar 12 or the like device to remove body fluids and the like from the bodies to be embalmed. The trocar is an insertion means adapted for penetrating a portion of a cadaver and for conveying the fluid like waste materials therefrom. The fluids are discharged from pump 10 at outlet 14 into a flush bowl 16 through flexible tube 18. The flush bowl is connected directly to the sewage systemto dispose of the body fluids. In localities where discharge of the body fluids into the sewer system is not permissible, a suitable disposal jar may be used to collect the fluids issuing from the end offlexible tubing 18.

Pump may be of any known construction, but is preferably of a construction such as is shown in the Hannahan patent. Pump 10 is provided with an inlet 20, which is connected to trocar 12 by flexible tubing 22, and an inlet 24 is connected to a water source indicated generally 26 by flexible tube 28. Inlet 24 is for the purpose of supplying fluid to pump 10 in order to prevent excessive wear of the impeller vanes against the pump chamber walls, and to pack the pump and produce a good seal between the vanes and the walls of the chamber. lnlet 24 will usually be maintained at a lower rate than the maximum capacity of the pump so as not to fill the pump completely and prevent production of sufflcient suction on inlet and within trocar 22. This is done by making inlet 24 smaller in diameter, i.e., having a smaller fluid flow capacity, than inlet 22, and maintaining the flow from water source 26 at atmospheric pressure.

Water supply 26 is shown as comprising a water faucet 30 and back-siphoning prevention device indicated generally at 32. Water tap 30 may be any tap in an ordinary household water supply system, and suspended above any suitable drain, for example, flush bowl 16. When a suitable water tap is unavailable, as when it is necessary to perform the embalming operations away from the customary place,'it is possible to supply suitable quantities of water by supporting a pail or pan of water above the level of the pump, and gravity feeding the water to the antiback-siphoning device.

Back siphoning prevention device 32 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 and includes a bowl 40 suspended by a number of spacer bars or rods 42 from a connector ring 44. Connector ring 44 has a central bore 46 which allows water to pass into bowl 40. The upper portion of bore 46 is threaded as indicated at 48 so as to be tightly received by faucet 30. Water from faucet 30 passes to bowl 40, through fluid control means 50 (described in detail hereinafter), and an outlet 52 which is connected to inlet 24 of pump 10 by flexible tubing 28.

Fluid control means 50 is for the purpose of regulating and mixing a disinfectant with the water or packing fluid fed to inlet 24 of pump 10. The disinfecting fluid will subsequently mix with the body fluids withdrawn by trocar 12. The intimate mixing which results in pump 10, allows the disinfecting fluid to kill any germs or the like before the fluids are discharged into flush bowl 16 by flexible tubing 18.

The disinfecting fluid may be stored in a bottle or other reservoir 54 which may be conveniently placed on a shelf 56. The disinfecting fluid is withdrawn from reservoir 54 by flexible tubing 58 to inlet 60. Any conventional disinfectant may be employed, with the precise disinfectant depending upon the need, such as the type of living organisms found or expected to be found in the waste material. Examples of disinfectants include an alcohol solution containing 2% by weight of iodine, organic mercury compounds, such as Metaphen, which contains the organic mercury in a concentration of about 0.1% by weight, 2% alkalinized glutaraldehyde solutions, and the like.

Fluid control means 50 generally comprises a chamber 70 having a water inlet 72 from bowl 40, a disinfecting fluid inlet 74 in fluid communication with inlet 60, and a fluid outlet 76 in fluid communication with outlet 52. Chamber is formed by generally cylindrical annular member 78 which is sealed at its ends 80 and 82. The upper end 80 of annulus 78 is internally threaded, and has a removable seal such as screw 84. The lower end 82 is in integral and sealing relationship with the bottom of bowl 40. Thus formed, chamber 70 will have a generally cylindrical shape. The lower end, as at 86, to a diameter smaller than the fullest diameter of chamber 70, which terminates to form inlet 74.

Chamber 70 need not be a generally cylindrical shape. Other shapes will be acceptable. What is important is that the chamber allows disinfectant fluid to flow into chamber 70, preventing fluid in the chamber from entering the disinfectant fluid inlet. For this purpose a ball is confined in, while free to move about, chamber 70. Ball 90 will rest against and be supported by tapered walls 86 by the force of gravity, and, in its rest position, will block inlet 74.

Inlet 72 will normally be smaller in diameter than outlet 76, i.e., water inlet 72 will have a smaller fluid flow capacity than outlet 76. Preferably, inlet 72 will be 10% smaller in diameter than is outlet 76, but the exact amount may vary depending upon the flow rates involved and/or desired.

When a suction is exerted on outlet 52, and conse quently outlet 76, by the action of pump 10, fluid will be drawn out of chamber 70. The flow of water from inlet 72 into chamber 70 will be less than the capacity of outlet 76 because of the difference in the sizes. As a result, a slightly negative pressure is created in chamber 70 which lifts ball 90 slightly upward and uncovers disinfecting fluid inlet 74. Disinfecting fluid is thus allowed to flow into chamber 70 where it mixes with water entering from inlet 72. The resulting mixture then leaves chamber 70 via outlet 76.

When the fluid pressure inside chamber 70 is greater than the pressure in inlet 74, as when, for example, there is back pressure forcing fluid up tube 28, ball 90 is forced against taper 86 shutting off inlet 74. The fluid in chamber 70 will not enter inlet 74, and the remaining disinfectant fluid in the reservoir will not become contaminated.

Thus, the fluid control means will allow the disinfectant to be drawn from reservoir 54 when it is needed, while preventing any contamination of the reservoir by water or body fluids back-flowing through passage 74. Further, when pump 10 is shut off, disinfectant will not continue to flow, as happens with prior art systems, because the system of the invention is a positive one, i.e., the disinfectant is only drawn when there is suction on the aspirating means, pump 10.

The materials of construction will be such as are conventional in the art, and thus will depend on the use and chemicals involved. For example, the trocar, backsiphoning prevention device, and disinfecting fluid control-means may be made of stainless steel, the disinfecting.fluid reservoir may be made of glass, plastic and the like and the tubing and hoses may be made of rubber, plastic or the like.

The present system will also preserve the advantages over the prior art hydro-aspirators with respect to back-siphoning because of the air space between connecting ring 44 and bowl 40, and yet will be able to supply disinfecting fluid to be mixed with body fluids. But, the invention as disclosed herein could be used in connection with a hydro-aspirating apparatus by sacrificing the advantage of back-siphoning prevention.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4, wherein screw 84 has been replaced by a gener= ally cylindrical splash post 92 which acts to break up the force of the water from faucet 30 going into bowl 40.

While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, consti= tute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to. this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a back-siphoning prevention device including an aspirating means for withdrawing body fluids for embalming, a connector ring adapted to engage a faucet and a bowl supported in spaced relationship beneath said ring for receiving water from said faucet, the improvement comprising a fluid control means for feeding and mixing a disinfectant with said water while providing automatic shut-off of said disinfectant when said aspirating means is shut-off and preventing back-flow of fluids to said disinfectant, said fluid control means comprising a chamber having a lower end located adjacent and integrally sealed to the bottom of said bowl and an upper end sealed by a removable sealing means and including a water inlet, a disinfecting fluid inlet and an outlet for said fluid mixture, said water inlet having a lesser fluid capacity than said outlet and said disinfecting fluid inlet including means for preventing backflow into said disinfecting fluid inlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water inlet has a fluid capacity that is less than the fluid capacity of said outlet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber is generally cylindrical.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said removable sealing means is a screw.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said removable sealing means is a generally cylindrical splash post.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said disinfecting inlet is located at the bottom of said chamber, and a ball is confined by and free to move within said chamber, said ball gravitationally sealing said disinfecting fluid inlet so that disinfecting fluid can flow into said chamber through said disinfecting fluid inlet, while preventing fluid flow from said chamber into said disinfecting fluid inlet.

7. An apparatus for use in an aspirating system for embalming comprising:

A. A connector ring adapted to engage a water faucet;

B. A bowl supported beneath said ring in spaced relationship thereto for receiving water from the faucet;

C. A fluid control means located adjacent the bottom of said bowl for regulating and mixing fluids passing out of said bowl comprising a generally annular cylindrical member having one end integrally sealed with said bowl and the other end removably sealed so that a chamber is formed having a generally cylindrical shape, with one end thereof tapering downwardly and internally toward said integrally sealed end;

D. At least a first inlet into said chamber from said bowl;

E. At least a second inlet into said chamber; and

A fluid outlet from said chamber for the fluids from said first and second inlets.

8. An apparatus as in claim '7 wherein the fluid flow capacity of said first fluid inlet is less than that of said outlet.

9. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said chamber confines a ball which is free to move within said chamber, and wherein said ball rests against said tapered end of said chamber by the weight of gravity to seal said second inlet and prevent fluids in said chamber from entering said second inlet.

10. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said other end of said chamber is threaded and said end is removably sealed by a screw.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said other end is removably sealed by a generally cylindrical splash post.

12. In an aspirating system for embalming including a trocar, an aspirating means, including an inlet and an outlet, for producing a suction on said trocar for drawing body fluids to said inlet of aspirating means, and for discharging said fluids through said outlet, tube means connecting said inlet on said aspirating means and said trocar for drawing body fluids to said aspirating means, a further tube means also connected to said inlet for conducting a packing fluid such as water and the like, to said aspirating means independently of aspirated fluid supplied through said trocar, back-siphoning prevention means, including a connector ring adapted to engage a water faucet and a bowl supported beneath said ring in spaced relation thereto for receiving water from said faucet, said back-siphoning prevention means having an outlet located adjacent the bottom of said bowl for discharging said water from said bowl for supplying packing fluid to said inlet to said aspirating means, tube means connecting said outlet from said bowl and said inlet to said aspirating means for flowing said water from said bowl to said aspirating means inlet, and discharge means for flowing said body fluids and packing fluid from said outlet of said aspirating means, the improvement comprising a fluid control means located in and connecting said bowl and said bowl outlet for flowing and mixing a disinfectant with said water, including a water inlet from said bowl, a disinfecting fluid inlet and outlet for said mixture of water and disinfecting fluid in fluid communication with said bowl outlet whereby said disinfectant-water mixture is subsequently mixed with and disinfects said body fluids before they are discharged.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the fluid control means comprises a generally cylindrical chamber having one end joined to said bowl, said end tapering downwardly and inwardly toward said bowl, and concluding in an opening at the bottom which is in fluid communication with the disinfecting fluid inlet, a ball enclosed by and free to move in said chamber, and supported by the tapered end of the chamger by its weight, and sealingoff said disinfecting fluid inlet, an inlet to said chamber and an outlet from said chamber located in the side walls of said chamber and in fluid communication with said water inlet and said bowl outlet respectively, said chamber inlet being smaller in diameter than said chamber outlet so that, when water is drawn from said chamber, said ball moves upward uncovering said disinfecting fluid inlet and allowing said disinfecting fluid to mix with said water and be discharged along with said water from said chamber through said chamber outlet. 

1. In a back-siphoning prevention device including an aspirating means for withdrawing body fluids for embalming, a connector ring adapted to engage a faucet and a bowl supported in spaced relationship beneath said ring for receiving water from said faucet, the improvement comprising a fluid control means for feeding and mixing a disinfectant with said water while providing automatic shut-off of said disinfectant when said aspirating means is shut-off and preventing back-flow of fluids to said disinfectant, said fluid control means comprising a chamber having a lower end located adjacent and integrally sealed to the bottom of said bowl and an upper end sealed by a removable sealing means and including a water inlet, a disinfecting fluid inlet and an outlet for said fluid mixture, said water inlet having a lesser fluid capacity than said outlet and said disinfecting fluid inlet including means for preventing back-flow into said disinfecting fluid inlet.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water inlet has a fluid capacity that is 10% less than the fluid capacity of said outlet.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber is generally cylindrical.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said removable sealing means is a screw.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said removable sealing means is a generally cylindrical splash post.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said disinfecting inlet is located at the bottom of said chamber, and a ball is confined by and free to move within said chamber, said ball gravitationally sealing said disinfecting fluid inlet so that disinfecting fluid can flow into said chamber through said disinfecting fluid inlet, while preventing fluid flow from said chamber into said disinfecting fluid inlet.
 7. An apparatus for use in an aspirating system for embalming comprising: A. A connector ring adapted to engage a water faucet; B. A bowl supported beneath said ring in spaced relationship thereto for receiving water from the faucet; C. A fluid control means located adjacent the bottom of said bowl for regulating and mixing fluids passing out of said bowl comprising a generally annular cylindrical member having one end integrally sealed with said bowl and the other end removably sealed so that a chamber is formed having a generally cylindrical shape, with one end thereof tapering downwardly and internally toward said integrally sealed end; D. At least a first inlet into said chamber from said bowl; E. At least a second inlet into said chamber; and F. A fluid outlet from said chamber for the fluids from said first and second inlets.
 8. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the fluid flow capacity of said first fluid inlet is less than that of said outlet.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said chamber confines a ball which is free to move within said chamber, and wherein said ball rests against said tapered end of said chamber by the weight of gravity to seal said second inlet and prevent fluids in said chamber from entering said second inlet.
 10. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said other end of said chamber is threaded and said end is removably sealed by a screw.
 11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said other end is removably sealed by a generally cylindrical splash post.
 12. In an aspirating system for embalming including a trocar, an aspirating means, including an inlet and an outlet, for producing a suction on said trocar for drawing body fluids to said inlet of aspirating means, and for discharging said fluids through said outlet, tube means connecting said inlet on said aspirating means and said trocar for drawing body fluids to said aspirating means, a further tube means also connected to said inlet for conducting a packing fluid such as water and the like, to said aspirating means independently of aspirated fluid supplied through said trocar, back-siphoning prevention means, including a connector ring adapted to engage a water faucet and a bowl supported beneath said ring in spaced relation thereto for receiving water from said faucet, said back-siphoning prevention means having an outlet located adjacent the bottom of said bowl for discharging said water from said bowl for supplying packing fluid to said inlet to said aspirating means, tube means connecting said outlet from said bowl and said inlet to said aspirating means for flowing said water from said bowl to said aspirating means inlet, and discharge means for flowing said body fluids and packing fluid from said outlet of said aspirating means, the improvement comprising a fluid control means located in and connecting said bowl and said bowl outlet for flowing and mixing a disinfectant with said water, including a water inlet from said bowl, a disinfecting fluid inlet and outlet for said mixture of water and disinfecting fluid in fluid communication with said bowl outlet whereby said disinfectant-water mixture is subsequently mixed with and disinfects said body fluids before they are discharged.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the fluid control means comprises a generally cylindrical chamber having one end joined to said bowl, said end tapering downwardly and inwardly toward said bowl, and concluding in an opening at the bottom which is in fluid communication with the disinfecting fluid inlet, a ball enclosed by and free to move in said chamber, and supported by the tapered end of the chamger by its weight, and sealing off said disinfecting fluid inlet, an inlet to said chamber and an outlet from said chamber located in the side walls of said chamber and in fluid communication with said water inlet and said bowl outlet respectively, said chamber inlet being smaller in diameter than said chamber outlet so that, when water is drawn from said chamber, said ball moves upward uncovering said disinfecting fluid inlet and allowing said disinfecting fluid to mix with said water and be discharged along with said water from said chamber through said chamber outlet. 